Week 12 scouting report: Vikings at Detroit

November 23, 2016 at 11:45AM
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford looked to pass during the first half against Jacksonville on Sunday.
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford looked to pass during the first half against Jacksonville on Sunday. (Brian Wicker — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Thursday: 11:30 a.m., Ford Field (Ch. 4, 100.3-FM, 1130-AM)

ABOUT THE LIONS

• The Lions (6-4) have played only one game since defeating the Vikings in overtime Nov. 6 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

• All QB Matthew Stafford does is lead fourth-quarter comebacks, including his sixth of the season Sunday in a 26-19 victory over Jacksonville.

• Stafford has a 101.2 passer rating, trailing only Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, Dak Prescott and Drew Brees.

• In the last matchup, Stafford was hit only four times (one sack) against the Vikings defense.

• Thursday's winner will decide the NFC North's leader through 12 weeks.

PLAYER SPEAK | WR GOLDEN TATE

• Tate had a season-best 11 receptions for 79 yards and the game-winning touchdown (and somersault) against the Vikings on Nov. 6.

• The seventh-year receiver has doubled his catch total (35) the past five games compared with the season's first five games (17).

• On fourth-quarter comebacks: "At this point we have to prove we can walk away with a game and not stress out the whole fan base."

• On Stafford: "One thing I notice week in and week out is he's a very, very tough, physical guy. He's been hit a lot over the past years and he continues to get up."

COACH SPEAK | JIM CALDWELL

• Caldwell is in his sixth NFL season as a head coach with a 50-40 record in the regular season and 2-3 in the playoffs.

• The ex-Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator has the Lions as the only other NFC North team with a positive turnover ratio (plus-2)

• On Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes: "He's been playing well since he's been in the league, actually. … Obviously he can catch, and it's obvious he's fast with that 100-yard return he had the other day."

• On counteracting the Vikings pass rush: "When you have that many rushers, and a guy like [Danielle] Hunter you throw in there, it gives you all kinds of difficulties."

ANDREW KRAMMER

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford meets the media after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Stafford (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
This is a 2016 photo of Golden Tate of the Detroit Lions NFL football team. This image reflects the Detroit Lions active roster as of Monday, June 13, 2016 when this image was taken. (AP Photo) ORG XMIT: NFLHS16
Tate (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
This is a photo of Jim Caldwell of the Detroit Lions NFL football team. This image reflects the Detroit Lions active roster as of Friday, June 17, 2016. (AP Photo) ORG XMIT: NFLHS16
Caldwell (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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